Far back as the 1830’s Croatian emigrates make the part of the first wave of mass emigrations to the countries of the New World , which proofs the Croatian population fit into the context of European migration flows of the time. There were many reasons why Croatians emigrated to foreign countries: economic underdevelopment, political reasons and for reasons of adventure and exploration.
But for the majority of people who left their homes at the time the main reason was the economic situation. Political conditions as the main motive of emigration was the result of the First World War and became much more significant immediately after World War II, when hundreds of thousands emigrated for fear of revenge and the suppression of democracy by the Yugoslav communist authorities.
Croatian grocery in
Aberdeen
The emigrants were mostly men from rural areas, young and without professional qualifications. In general it is evident that they performed the hardest and the most dangerous physical labor in the countries they moved to.
So-called chain emigration results in compact groups of emigrants, often related by family connections, place of emigration, region, etc. Thus, many emigrants from Dubrovnik have large communities in California, Peru, emigrants from the island of Hvar in Argentina, emigrants from Korcula in Brazil, emigrants from the Lika region in the American Midwest, emigrants from Makarska in New Zealand and Dalmatians in Australia.
Although it is difficult to estimate how many Croatian emigrates have left their country and how many currently live abroad. Some late researches has shown that there are over 1.5 million Croatians who have emigrated and taken up permanent residence in one of the destination countries.
Croatian emigrates in USA
Croatian immigration to America gains significance in 1880s when the Croats begin joining the great migration wave that launched itself in the first decades of the 19th century starting from Central and South Europe.
Their immigration was caused by both political and economic factors at the same time. Economic underdevelopment of Croatia is directly linked to its political situation in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, as well as its situation in the first and second Yugoslavia, which makes each immigrant both of political and economic nature. There was hardly a place in Croatia, which did not have its own Croatian American.
Croatian in L.A
San Pedro is considered the heart of the Croatian community in Los Angeles. This community, originally comprised of seafarers and fishermen from the Dalmatia (especially the islands of Brač, Hvar, Vis and Korčula) region, has been present in San Pedro since the settlement began more than 200 years ago. The City of Los Angeles even named a stretch of 9th Street "Croatian Place" in honor of the city's old Croatian community. There are reportedly more than 35,000 Croats in San Pedro, making it the biggest Croatian community on the Pacific.
Croatian emigrates in Australia
The Croatian community in Australia is very vivid and is supported through the multicultural attachment of the country. Australia has very large Italian and Greek populations and, according to some studies, the third largest group of descendents residing in Australia are from Croatia. It is estimated that 350,000 Croatian immigrants and descendants live in this country.
Croatian Community
Melbourne Australia 1988 Lindo Dance
The origins are
still alive
Croatians in Argentina
The new generation of Croatians in Argentina is constantly decreasing, and the wave of emigrants post second world war generation is estimated at 130,000.
Croatian emigrates in New Zealand
About 19,000 Croatians live in New Zealand. In addition to a limited number of post-war immigrants, the number primarily refers to the descendants of previous immigrants from the Makarska littoral area and the Zagora region that gravitates towards it (Vrgovac), together with natives of Korcula and Peljesac who began to immigrate to this country in the second half of the 19th century.
On a tour through New Zealand wineries in the Auckland region, wine enthusiasts stumble upon names like Brajkovich, Fistonich, Soljan, Ivicevich, Nobilo, Babich, Ozich, Delegats. These are all names originally from Dalmatia today’s Croatia.
150 years ago in 1858 the first Dalmatian’s arrived at New Zealand shores. They left their small Province at the Adriatic coast with limited prospects to supporting its inhabitants.
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Croatian emigrates in Brazil
It is estimated that 80,000 Croatians live in Brazil. Unlike other Southern American countries in which the number of Croatians has stagnated or dropped after the war, Brazil is one of the few countries where the number of Croatian immigrants is constantly on the rise.
Croatian emigrates in Canada
There are about 400,000 Croatians in Canada today. The largest number of Croatians live in the province of Ontario. There are three waves of Croatian emigrants in this country; the first wave started arriving from the late 1800’s. The second group came after the Second World War and the most recent emigration wave was the direct result of the Homeland War.
Croatians in Chile
Due to the global economic crisis and a shortage of profitable reserves of saltpeter, Chile has had difficulties in keeping up with the economic trends of the developed western world. This has caused a decrease of Croatians living in Chile and it has had a direct effect of the dynamics of their immigration. There are 25,000 Croatians living in Chile today.
